Modeste nets eight goals in Kölner test fixture
Köln fans have had little to smile about thus far this season. At least their beloved striker Anthony Modeste was able to let off some steam in a Wednesday. exhibition
German Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln still await their first points of the 2020/21 campaign. Increasingly ineffective defensive constellations leave Markus Gisdol's team to open the season with three consecutive losses to Hoffenheim, Bielefeld, and arch-rivals Gladbach. Their plight nevertheless doesn't seem quite as severe as fellow bottom dwellers FC Schalke 04 (1:15 goal ratio) and FSV Mainz 05 (2:11 goal ratio).
While the winless Schalke and Mainz parted company with their respective trainers last week, Köln sticks with Markus Gisdol as he sorts through a transfer class that featured many chances. Die Geißböcke maintain a respectable goal ration of 4:7 and have several new talented players that should be able to contribute more effectively with time.
An exhibition test match against a sixth-tier amateur opponent hardy serves as a decent measuring stick, the Cathedral City club did manage to run up a 14-0 scoreline against SC Borussia Lindenthal-Hohenlind on Wednesday.
Gisdol built his first 4-4-2 of the 2020/21 cycle with a returning Benno Schmitz finally claiming his starting fullback position. Newcomer Marius Wolf netted a brace in his first action for the club. Recently acquired Striker Tolu Arokodare scored as well.
The day most definitely belonged to Arokodare's partner up top. Veteran striker Anthony Modeste had been struggling with a knee injury since the end of last season. The 32-year-old was afforded the chance to blow off some steam with a sensational eight goals.
Modeste remained on the pitch for the full 90 minutes, scoring four goals in each half. Six goals came from open play while two were converted penalties.